Tricycle



(No Model.)

F. B. KOHLER.

TRIGYGLE.

No. 400,091. Patented Mar. 26, 1889.

, NTTED STATES PATENT FREDERICK E. KOHLER, OF CANTON, OHlO.

TRICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 400,091, dated March26, 1889.

Application filed July 16,1388. Serial No. 280,015. (No model.)

To .aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK E. KoHLER, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Canton, county of Stark, State of Ohio, have inventeda new and useful Improvement in Tricycles, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in tricycles; and it consists inproviding means for adjusting the frame to adapt it to the use ofdifferent-sized wheels, also to adapt the machine to the size of rider.

\Vith these ends in View my invention consists in certain features ofconstruction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter described,and pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a tricycle, illustrating my invention.Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same. Fig. 3 is an isometrical view of theupper portion of frame enlarged, and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of afragment of upper front portion of back frame.

Similar letters represent corresponding parts in all of the figures ofthe accompanying drawings.

A represents an inverted-U frame. The prongs B, passing down on eitherside of the drivingwheel O, terminate in journal-boxes D, that embraceand support the journals of the driving-wheel shaft E, on the outer endsof which are secured cranks F and treadles G. The upper or closed end ofthe frame A may be formed substantially as shown, the upper end of theprongs bent to overlap a cross-bar,

as H, having centrally-located apertured boss J; or, if preferred, theframe may be made of cast malleable metal, with the parts 13 and Jintegral.

As a means of changing the size of the machine to suit the size of therider, or for the purpose of using drive-wheels of different size, anadjustable frame, K, is provided of the form substantially as shown,having crossbars L, on the ends of which are loops M, to embrace theside bars or prongs, B. Centrally to said cross-bars there is providedan apertured boss, J, through which is passed the handle-support O, bywhich said bars are spaced apart, and in which said bar is secured bypins a. Rearwardly from said bars L, and centrally thereto, areprojected eyes I), in which is pivotally secured the front portion, U,of the back frame, R.

The handle -support 0 and the handle S may be made separate and securedtogether by any of the well-known ways for securing such parts, or maybe integral, as shown. A set-screw, S, penetrates the wall of theperforation in the boss J, by which the red 0 may be secured in desiredadjustment.

It will be apparent that the object sought by the hereiubefore-describedparts is to provide a convenient and economical means for verticallyadjusting the front end of the back frame in the frame A, for thepurpose of increasing or decreasing the distance between the riders seatand the foot-treadles for the purpose of adjusting the machine totherider. A further obj eet of equally great importance is the fact ofthe adaptability of the frame A to the use of wheels differingdiametrically, which adjustment may be successfully accomplished bysimply slacking or turning back the set-screw S and moving the rod 0 upor down, as the case may be, and again securing the parts in desiredadjustment by turning in the screw S. To successfully carry out thisidea of enlarging the frame bya vertical adjustment of the front end ofthe back frame renders necessary some means by which the back frame maybe lengthened that the parts may be kept in proper form, and to this endthe back frame, R, is formed of a rear portion, T, and a front portion,U.

The front central portion, U, is provided at its front end with upwardlyand downwardly projected pivots d, loosely secured in the eyes I), therear end terminating in outwardlyturned fingers h, that embrace theedges of the side bars, 76, of the rear section, T, the front ends ofthe side bars, 7c, terminating in clasping fingers or loops m, thatreach across and embrace the opposite side, forming a sliding loop. Thetwo parts T and U have corresponding perforations n, through which aclamping-bolt, p, is passed, and by which the parts are securedtogether.

To change the size of the machine or to lengthen or shorten the backframe, R, the bolt 13 is removed and the two parts T andU pulled apartor pressed together, as required, and fixed in adjustment by the returnof the bolt 1) in the proper perforation.

The rear portion of the frame R extends downwardly and baelnvardlyto theaxle-shaft V, that supports the rear wheels, \V. It is evident thatnumerous slight changes might be resorted to in the form and arrangementof the several parts described without materially departing from thescope and spirit of my invention, the detail and operation of which havebeen so fully set forth during the description of the parts that it isnot deemed necessary to more fully state them here.

\\''hat I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination, with the frame A of a tr ycle, of the adjustableframe K, having cross-bars, as L, with loops to embrace the parallelsides of said frame A, reamvardlyprojected eyes to pivotally engage thefront portion of the back frame, R, and handle support 0, and means forsecuring the frame K in desired adjustment in the frame A, substantiallyas set forth.

2. In combinatiomtheinverted-U frame A, adjustable frame K, and means ofsecuring said frame K in vertical adjustment, substantially asdescribed, and for the purpose set forth.

23. In a tricycle, a back frame composed, sentially, of the parts T andU, having the loops m, fingers 7e, perforations n, and. boltp,substantially described, and for the purpose set forth.

i. The combination, with the frame A of a tricycle, 0f the adjustableframe K, having cross-bars L, With loops to embrace the parallel sidesof frame A, back frame, R, pivotal] y secured to said frame,handlc-support O, and means for securing said frame and handlesupport 0in desired adjustment in the frame A, substantially as described, andfor the purpose set forth.

5. The combination, with the frame A of a tricycle, of a frame, K,consisting of crossbars formed with central apertures and provided withlooped ends to embrace the par alel sides of the frame A, the saidcrossbars constructed to pivotally engage the front portion of the backframe, a handle-support, K, an apertured boss, J, and a set-screw, S,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. this 10th day of July,A. .l 1888.

FREDERICK E. PIOIILER.

lVit-nesses:

W. K. MILLER, Units. R. MuiLnn.

